deinstitutionalization
noun
de·in·sti·tu·tion·al·i·za·tion
(ˌ)dē-ˌin(t)-stə-ˌtü-shə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
-ˌtyü-
1
: the release of institutionalized individuals from institutional care (as in a psychiatric hospital) to care in the community
2
: the reform or modification of an institution to remove or disguise its institutional character
Examples of deinstitutionalization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But despite the move toward deinstitutionalization, a comprehensive mental health care system that supported people living outside hospitals never fully materialized.
—
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
The timing of the shift paralleled a global push for deinstitutionalization, but Italy took it further in many ways, becoming the first country in the world to abolish its asylum system.
—Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
States instituted a policy of deinstitutionalization with the promise of community mental health care, including housing, for the tens of thousands of psychiatric patients who were discharged from, or never admitted to, state hospitals.
—Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
This dovetailed with a larger deinstitutionalization movement that argued that federal money for mental health and addiction care should be shifted to local communities.
—TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deinstitutionalization
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
The timing of the shift paralleled a global push for deinstitutionalization, but Italy took it further in many ways, becoming the first country in the world to abolish its asylum system.
—Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
States instituted a policy of deinstitutionalization with the promise of community mental health care, including housing, for the tens of thousands of psychiatric patients who were discharged from, or never admitted to, state hospitals.
—Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
This dovetailed with a larger deinstitutionalization movement that argued that federal money for mental health and addiction care should be shifted to local communities.
—TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deinstitutionalization
Cite this Entry
“Deinstitutionalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deinstitutionalization. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
deinstitutionalization
noun
de·in·sti·tu·tion·al·iza·tion
(ˌ)dē-ˌin(t)-stə-ˌt(y)üsh-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌt(y)ü-shən-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-
: the release of institutionalized individuals from institutional care (as in a psychiatric hospital) to care in the community
deinstitutionalize
transitive verb
deinstitutionalized; deinstitutionalizing
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share